ELCA Synod Bishop, Other Faith Leaders Urge Reauthorization of PEPFAR

WASHINGTON (ELCA) -- The Rev. Richard H. Graham, bishop of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Metropolitan
Washington, D.C. Synod, joined with other faith leaders and
government officials on Capitol Hill Dec. 13 in advocating for
robust funding and improved policies in the reauthorization of
the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
PEPFAR is due to expire in 2008 and discussions are under
way regarding its reauthorization. Lutherans worldwide have been
responding to HIV and AIDS in the world actively through advocacy
and prevention education, treatment and care for children and
families most affected by the disease.
"Twenty-five years into the world's most devastating health
pandemic we must ask ourselves, what does the ministry of
reconciliation mean to our communities throughout the world that
have been devastated by HIV and AIDS?" said Graham. "What does it
mean to the millions of people throughout the world infected and
affected by this disease who are longing for the advent of
comprehensive prevention, treatment and care? What does it mean
to those who are still discriminated against and stigmatized
because of AIDS?"
Other leaders included Kay Warren, Saddleback
Church Lake Forest, Calif.; Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN);
Ambassador Mark Dybul, U.S. global AIDS coordinator; the Rev.
John R. Schol, bishop of the Washington Area of The United
Methodist Church; Richard Cizik, National Association of
Evangelicals; Robert Zachritz, World Vision; Anita Smith,
Children's AIDS Fund; and, Ken Hackett, Catholic Relief Services.
As it considers the PEPFAR reauthorization, religious
leaders urge Congress to:
+ Support the funding of $50 billion over the next five years,
with at least 10 percent dedicated to addressing the needs of
orphans and vulnerable children through integrated community
programs
+ Increase flexibility for implementation of comprehensive
prevention, treatment and care programs that empower local
communities
+ Increase funding to train and help sustain the number of health
care workers and volunteers while strengthening the
infrastructure of health systems
The ELCA supports the above goals, according to Kim Stietz,
director for international policy, ELCA Washington Office.
The ELCA is in the process of developing an HIV and AIDS
strategy requested by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The
strategy is slated to be presented to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly.
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Information about the ELCA's ministry on HIV and AIDS is at
http://www.ELCA.org/aids and the ELCA's message on AIDS is at
http://www.ELCA.org/socialstatements/aids on the church's Web
site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog